Global Recycling Day is annually observed across the globe on 18th March to help recognise, and celebrate, the importance of recycling in securing the future of our planet.
Global Recycling Day is a day of action aimed at a global approach towards recycling and calling on world leaders, international businesses, communities and individuals to make seven clear commitments in their approach to recycling.
Global Recycling Day 2022:
The events theme of Global Recycling Day 2022 will focus on the ‘Recycling Fraternity’, who put themselves on the frontline to collect waste and recycling during the multiple lockdowns.
Background:
i.The Global Recycling Day is an initiative of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), the global federation of the recycling industry, which focus on the sustainable and inclusive development of recycling.
ii.The day is promoted by the Global Recycling Foundation, formed by the BIR in October 2018 and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
iii.The first ever Global Recycling Day was observed on 18th March 2018, which also marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of BIR.
Recycling:
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.
The 3R’s framework of recycling are Refuse or Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Recyclables:
Recyclables which are also known as ‘7th resource’ saves more than 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions and this is estimated to increase to around 1 billion tons by 2030.
It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions which will support in tackling the climate change.
Waste Managemnet Schemes in India:
i.The Government of India has undertaken several large-scale national initiatives like ‘Swachh Bharat Mission(SBM)’, ‘National Water Mission(NWM)’ and ‘Waste to Energy(WTE)’ as a part of its commitment to effective waste & pollution management in India.
ii.The report of SBM (Urban) states that around 1.45 tons/day of municipal Solid waste(MSW) is generated in urban India.
Note:
India is one of the biggest producers of e-waste in the world, which generates around 2 million tons of e-waste every year.
About Bureau of International Recycling (BIR):
President– Tom Bird
Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
Founded in 1948
